Bear watching, bird watching and painted monasteries in Romania

Zarnesti gorge

Today we are driven to the point where we start a guided hike in the Piatra Craiului National Park. The first part takes us through Zarnesti gorge, an impressive limestone canyon. With 40 – 80 m high walls, it gives us the chance to look for rare birds like Wallcreepers, Alpine swifts, Crag Martins and also to admire impressive Jurassic geological formations.
For those interested only in birds, you can stop here and enjoy the scenery. Those interested also in hiking will continue to Curmatura Cabin. On the way, we can see signs of wildlife, rare or endemic species of flora and insects, as well as shepherd camps. If the weather allows us, we can see the entire limestone ridge (22 km long) which was declared scientific reserve due to the presence of rare and endemic species of flora and insects.
Difficulty: easy (stop down in the gorge)/medium-hard.

The Narcissus Forest, bear hide

After breakfast we leave by car to go to the Narcissus Forest, a 400ha protected oak forest, to observe wildlife, especially butterflies, insects and birds (app. 1 h drive). We’ll also walk in the area to discover the tracks larger animals leave on the ground. We stop at the edge of the forest for lunch (packed sandwiches) and relaxation. You will have some time for walking on your own on this amazing forest and enjoy the numerous species of birds, insects and plants. Today is very feasible to see Ural Owls, Tawny Owls, Lesser Spotted Eagle, Short-toed Eagle, White-backed Woodpecker, Middle Spotted Woodpecker, Corncrake, Great Grey Shrike, Red-breasted Flycatcher, Collared Flycatcher, Fieldfare and few other rare birds, as well as numerous species of butterflies and insects.
In the afternoon we’ll have dinner, then head to a local hide for a chance to see wildlife (a facility where bears used to be attracted with food for observations). Late in the evening we drive back to our guesthouse in Zarnesti, to prepare for the next day.
Difficulty: easy

Transfer to Bucovina

As the distance is appreciable, we take a full day to get to our next destination: Bucovina. On the way we stop to stretch our legs with a half an hour break at the Bicaz Gorge and lunch (sandwiches prepared from Zarnesti). In the afternoon we arrive in Gura Humorului. You’ll be accommodated in rustic and comfortable double rooms with private toilet and hot shower.

We take the next two days to visit 5 of the famous painted monasteries of Bucovina: Moldovita, Sucevita, Putna, Humor and Voronet.

As the distance is appreciable, we take a full day to get to our next destination: the Danube Delta. In the afternoon we arrive in Murighiol, from where we take a private boat to our 2* guesthouse in Crisan, a small fishermen village located right in the centre of the Danube Delta. You’ll be accommodated in basic but comfortable twin rooms with private toilet and hot shower.

We’ll be driven by small boats through a chain of beautiful lakes and channels where we’ll see a great variety of birds like White Pelicans, Dalmatian Pelicans, Glossy Ibis or Pigmy Cormorants, to mention just some of the rarest species you have the chance to see in great numbers.